Veronica Luna, 36, of San Bernardino lights a candle for the shooting victims on the corner of Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road, near the site of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center, on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015.

A memorial grows larger at the corner of Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road in San Bernardino as people pay their respects Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, to the victims of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center.

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A memorial grows larger at the corner of Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road in San Bernardino as people pay their respects Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, to the victims of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center.

A boy adds to a sea of candles after a vigil at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, for the victims of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center.

The "SB Strong" motto is displayed on a screen at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, during a candlelight vigil for the victims of the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center.

Nearly 1,000 people attend a candlelight vigil on Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, at Cal State San Bernardino to remember the victims of the Dec. 2 shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino.

Gordon and Denise Baciorek of Temecula hold candles in cups that say "S.B. Strong" during a vigil at San Manuel Stadium in San Bernardino on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, for the victims of the mass shooting.

Clarissa Novak embraces her brother Patrick Novak, 8, during a candlelight vigil at UC Riverside on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2015, to remember those killed and injured in Wednesday's shooting in San Bernardino.

Manny Guzman, 46, of Redlands sets up a memorial for the Inland Regional Center shooting victims at the corner of Waterman Avenue and Orange Show Road in San Bernardino on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015.

A young boy is held as he visits a memorial site Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, at the corner of Orange Show Road and Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino in honor of the victims of the Inland Regional Center mass shooting.

Fourteen lives were cut short on Dec. 2, 2015, when terror came to San Bernardino.

They left behind families and friends, who have shared their memories with the world about what made these 14 people so special. The themes are universal: Love. Faith. Dedication to family. A desire to work hard for the public they served.

Three of the victims had babies who will never know their mom or dad. Many were married, at least three to high school sweethearts. One was planning to wed soon, and another had started both a new relationship and a new job in the months before his death.

One had just come out of retirement after missing his profession. Another had worked her way up to health inspector was supposed to get her badge that afternoon.

Four were immigrants who came to the U.S. for a better life. Many found comfort in their religion and their culture.

One was the best work friend of one of the shooters – but that didn’t save him from being gunned down. One may have been targeted for being outspoken against radical Islamist groups.

And at least one was a hero, shielding a co-worker while they took cover under a table and taking a bullet in the process.

Whatever their differences or their flaws, all were loved. Friends and family spoke of their smiles, their kindness, their quirks. In their lives, and in their deaths, they inspired others to love and to work hard for a better future.

Fourteen lives were cut short, but their memories live on. Click or scroll through the slideshow to learn more about them.